Human Pathology via MedWorm.com

Erratum to “t(8;21)(q22;q22) Translocation Involving AML1 and ETO in B Lymophoblastic Leukemia” [Hum Pathol 2010, 2:286-292]

Human Pathology — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:18:14 +0100

The journal editor has noted that a gross spelling error appears in the title of the above-mentioned article. The word “Lymophoblastic” should correctly appear as “Lymphoblastic.” We apologize for any inconvenience this typographical error may have caused. (Source: Human Pathology)

Treponema pallidum immunostain distinguishing syphilitic gastritis from Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis

Human Pathology — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:18:14 +0100

We read with interest the article by Martin-Ezquerra et al describing the distribution of treponemal organisms in primary and secondary syphilis. Unsurprisingly, a Treponema pallidum immunostain was more sensitive than the Warthin-Starry (WS) stain in detecting the organisms. Although not discussed in their article, one would expect it to be also more specific. This became evident in a case of secondary syphilis we recently encountered where, despite the detection of microorganisms by a WS stain, was originally misdiagnosed partly because syphilis was not clinically suspected at the outset. (Source: Human Pathology)

Cytokeratin (CK8/CK18) is not derived from CAM5.2 clone; and anticytokeratin CAM5.2 (Becton Dickinson) is not synonymous with the antibody (CK8/CK18)—reply

Human Pathology — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:18:13 +0100

The CAM5.2 antibody (Becton Dickinson) that we have been using came with an insert stating explicitly that this is a “monoclonal antibody test for analysis of cytokeratin proteins 8 and 18.” We thank Han et al for drawing our attention to a revision in the stated reactivities of the antibody by the manufacturer to cytokeratins 7 and 8 instead of cytokeratins 8 and 18. This revision, however, does not alter the interpretation or conclusion of our study that the desmoplastic small round cell tumor of the salivary gland was immunoreactive for cytokeratin. (Source: Human Pathology)

Antibody to cytokeratin (CK8/CK18) is not derived from CAM5.2 clone, and anticytokeratin CAM5.2 (Becton Dickinson) is not synonymous with the antibody (CK8/CK18)

Human Pathology — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:18:11 +0100

In the recent interesting case study entitled “Desmoplastic small round cell tumor of the submandibular gland—a rare but distinctive primary salivary gland neoplasm,” the authors may have inadvertently noted that antibody to cytokeratin (CK8/CK18) is derived from the CAM5.2 clone and sourced from Becton Dickinson, San Jose, CA, in Table 1 . (Source: Human Pathology)

8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome: a review

Human Pathology — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:18:06 +0100

Summary: The 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome is an aggressive neoplasm associated with chromosomal translocations involving the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 tyrosine kinase gene on chromosome 8p11-12. By our count, 65 cases are currently reported in the literature. This neoplasm affects patients of all ages, with a slight male predominance. Patients often present with peripheral blood eosinophilia without basophilia. Bone marrow examination commonly is hypercellular, with or without eosinophilia, which usually leads to the initial diagnosis of a myeloproliferative neoplasm. Many patients also present with or develop lymphadenopathy. Lymph node biopsy in these patients has commonly shown lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, most often reported as being of T-cell lineage, but bilineal my...

In this Issue

Human Pathology — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:18:06 +0100

(Source: Human Pathology)

Human Pathology — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:18:06 +0100

(Source: Human Pathology)

Information for Authors

Human Pathology — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:18:06 +0100

(Source: Human Pathology)

Editorial Board

Human Pathology — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:18:06 +0100

(Source: Human Pathology)

Masthead

Human Pathology — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:18:06 +0100

(Source: Human Pathology)

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase 1 detected by immunohistochemistry in non–small cell lung cancer: a promising feature?

Human Pathology — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Recently, Boland and colleagues reported on immunohistochemical expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase 1 (ALK1) in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) correlating with transcriptional up-regulation, ALK1 locus rearrangement, and presence of echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4–ALK1 fusion transcripts, concluding that ALK1 immunoreactivity may be used as a screening test/surrogate marker for ALK1 gene abnormalities in such tumors. (Source: Human Pathology)

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase 1 detected by immunohistochemistry in non–small cell lung cancer: a promising feature?—reply

Human Pathology — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The issues raised by Sterlacci et al in their letter to the editor on our study include (1) questionable oncogenic property of EML4-ALK fusion gene, (2) lack of correlation between fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase 1 (ALK-1) immunohistochemistry (IHC), and (3) doubtful potential for targeted immunotherapy using a vaccination strategy against ALK1 protein, based on a recent article by Martelli et al and their own study on a cohort of 1367 non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. We found that the findings of these studies differ from prevailing concepts in the current literature as well as the results of our study. (Source: Human Pathology)

Mixed infection of Trypanosoma cruzi I and II in a Colombian cardiomyopathic patient

Human Pathology — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We report for the first time a mixed infection consisting of both T cruzi I and T cruzi II detected in the esophagus and in the heart, respectively, of a cardiomyopathic patient from an endemic area in Santander, Colombia. This finding has epidemiological relevance related to the association of T cruzi II with the clinical manifestations of Chagas disease and its frequency in Colombia and countries in northern South America. (Source: Human Pathology)

Candida albicans–associated necrotizing vasculitis producing life-threatening gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Human Pathology — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We describe a case of systemic Candida albicans infection associated with life-threatening gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to unusual necrotizing vasculitis involving the gastrointestinal tract. We explore the association between Candida and such vasculopathy. (Source: Human Pathology)

Grading of skin sebaceous carcinoma

Human Pathology — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:07:41 +0100

Tumor grade is a system used to classify cancer cells in terms of how abnormal they look under a microscope and how quickly the tumor is likely to grow and spread. Many factors are considered when determining tumor grade, including structure and growth pattern of the cells. The specific factors used to determine tumor grade vary with each type of cancer. Tumor grade may be used to plan treatment and to estimate the future course and the outcome of disease (prognosis) with certain types of cancers such as breast and prostate. Recently, we have observed a case of sebaceous carcinoma (SC) of the vulva and have examined Word Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Skin Tumours and fascicle of AFIP regarding nonmelanocytic tumour of the skin. (Source: Human Pathology)

Re-evaluation of IgG4 in systemic fibroinflammatory disease with intracardiac involvement

Human Pathology — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:07:41 +0100

We previously published a case report in Human Pathology entitled “A case of multifocal fibrosclerosis with intracardiac solid masses” . Briefly, a 70-year-old woman had fibrosclerotic intracardiac solid masses contiguous to thickened pericardium and fibrosclerosis in the pericardium, mediastinum, abdominal cavity, and retroperitoneum. Because the areas of fibrosis were observed in multiple lesions, her disease was diagnosed as multifocal fibrosclerosis accompanied with peculiar intracardiac masses. This systemic disease overlaps recently established clinicopathologic entity of IgG4-related systemic disease. However, the concept was not completely developed when the report was published, and we did not evaluate IgG4 expression in the plasma cells in this case. (Source: Human Pathology)

In this Issue

Human Pathology — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:07:37 +0100

(Source: Human Pathology)

Human Pathology — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:07:37 +0100

(Source: Human Pathology)

Information for Authors

Human Pathology — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:07:37 +0100

(Source: Human Pathology)

Editorial Board

Human Pathology — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:07:37 +0100

(Source: Human Pathology)

Masthead

Human Pathology — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:07:37 +0100

(Source: Human Pathology)

Treponema pallidum immunostain distinguishing syphilitic gastritis from Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis—reply

Human Pathology — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We thank Drs Liu and Hameed for their interest in our study . A case of secondary syphilis mimicking Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis is presented. The definite diagnosis was only suspected after observing a cutaneous rash clinically consistent with secondary syphilis and was confirmed by the immunohistochemical demonstration of multiple spirochetes within the lamina propria in the gastric biopsy specimen. (Source: Human Pathology)

Primary gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the liver with PDGFRA gene mutation

Human Pathology — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Summary: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor is a mesenchymal tumor with KIT or PDGFRA gene mutation, occurring primarily in the stomach and intestine and rarely outside the digestive tract. KIT-negative tumors with epithelioid cell morphology and PDGFRA mutation represent a minor subset of gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Here, we describe a case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor in the liver of a 70-year-old man. The tumor was shown to be completely limited within the liver by radiologic, intraoperative, and pathologic examinations. Histopathologically, the tumor showed epithelioid cell-type morphology and immunohistochemical expression of CD34 and protein kinase C θ but was negative for cytokeratin, EMA, S-100, and HMB-45. KIT protein expression was very faint, and we judged it as negative. ...

Human Pathology — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Silva's Diagnostic Renal Pathology is a unique—and quite successful—attempt to present the vast subject of renal pathology in encyclopedic fashion in a single volume. Beginning with a detailed explanation of basic renal anatomy and physiology, its 17 chapters proceed in a logical fashion to encompass medical renal disease, cystic and developmental diseases, transplant pathology, and even the spectrum of renal tumors. The chapter on renal tumors, by Drs Tickoo, Argani, and Amin, and the one on renal disease from the nephrologists' perspective help make this book unusually comprehensive. (Source: Human Pathology)

Erratum to “Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach with paraneoplastic leukocytosis: a case report and review of the literature” [Hum Pathol 40 (2009) 1494-1498]

Human Pathology — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:54:45 +0100

In the abovementioned article, the first author has noted that his surname was misprinted in the original article. The correct name should read “David Callacondo.” (Source: Human Pathology)

In This Issue

Human Pathology — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:54:42 +0100

(Source: Human Pathology)

Human Pathology — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:54:42 +0100

(Source: Human Pathology)

Information for Authors

Human Pathology — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:54:42 +0100

(Source: Human Pathology)

Editorial Board

Human Pathology — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:54:42 +0100

(Source: Human Pathology)

Masthead

Human Pathology — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:54:42 +0100

(Source: Human Pathology)

Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the bladder and urethra: cases diffusely mimicking nephrogenic adenoma

Human Pathology — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Summary: Although clear cell adenocarcinoma have been described focally mimicking nephrogenic adenoma, we have identified a subset of clear cell adenocarcinoma that diffusely resembles nephrogenic adenoma (nephrogenic adenoma-like clear cell adenocarcinoma). Twelve classic clear cell adenocarcinomas of the bladder and urethra and 7 nephrogenic adenoma-like clear cell adenocarcinomas were compared to 10 nephrogenic adenomas. Classic clear cell adenocarcinomas and nephrogenic adenoma-like clear cell adenocarcinomas comprised 4 men and 15 women. The following features were seen in classic clear cell adenocarcinomas: nephrogenic adenoma-like clear cell adenocarcinomas: predominantly solid pattern (7/12:0/7), marked nuclear pleomorphism (7/12:1/7), prominent nucleoli (5/12:1/7), clear cytoplasm...

Virtual 3D microscopy in pathology education

Human Pathology — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In the August issue of Human Pathology, Fred R. Dee provided a detailed overview of virtual microscopy in pathology education . As requested by the author, we would like to supplement his contribution by findings on the current speed and efficiency of virtual 3-dimensional (3D) microscopy, and by further trends in image distribution using common standards. (Source: Human Pathology)

Epidermal growth factor receptor and HER-2/neu status by immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization in adenocarcinomas of the biliary tree and gallbladder

Human Pathology — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study examines the epidermal growth factor receptor and HER-2/neu expression and the epidermal growth factor receptor gene copy number in biliary tract adenocarcinomas. Fifty-one formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cases of adenocarcinomas (26 intrahepatic, 19 extrahepatic, 6 gallbladder) were stained with monoclonal antibodies against epidermal growth factor receptor and HER-2/neu. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis was performed in 37 cases using probes directed against epidermal growth factor receptor and centromeric region of chromosome 7. Epidermal growth factor receptor expression was present in 41 (80%) cases, with moderate or strong epidermal growth factor receptor staining in 30 (59%) cases. HER-2/neu was positive in 2 (4%) cases. Fluorescence in situ hybridization ana...

Factitial soft tissue pseudotumor due to injection of anabolic steroids: a report of 3 cases in 2 patients

Human Pathology — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Summary: Traumatically induced inflammation or reactive processes are a relatively well-known phenomenon in both skin and soft tissue. These include panniculitides, fat necrosis, nodular fasciitis, and nonspecific fibrosis. Occasionally, traumatic reactions can be associated with factitial injury due to self-induced blunt trauma or injection of chemical agents. Factitial pseudotumors of soft tissue mimicking neoplasms and occurring in deep-seated locations are rare and not well recognized. We have had the opportunity to review a handful of cases over the years of soft tissue pseudotumors caused by self injection of steroids for the purposes of bodybuilding. Three of these cases in 2 patients are presented here. One patient developed a deep lateral thigh mass that was radiologically suspici...

Clinically occult interstitial fibrosis in smokers: classification and significance of a surprisingly common finding in lobectomy specimens

Human Pathology — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study reports the presence of surprisingly frequent and often severe interstitial fibrosis in cigarette smokers with no clinical evidence of interstitial lung disease. Twenty-three lobectomy specimens excised for neoplasms, including 20 from smokers, were extensively sampled, and examined semi-quantitatively for interstitial fibrosis, fibroblast foci, peribronchiolar metaplasia, honey-comb change, emphysema, and respiratory bronchiolitis. Interstitial fibrosis involving greater than 25% of slides was identified in 12 of 20 smokers (60%), but in none of the three never-smokers. Three cases were classified as specific forms of interstitial lung disease, including one each of usual interstitial pneumonia, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and asbestosis. The remaining 9 cases did not fit wi...

Interstitial inflammation in Alport syndrome